Unmanned aerial vehicle landing platform systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods related to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) landing platforms are provided. In one example, a system includes a platform adapted for launching and/or landing a UAV. A plurality of folding elements are pivotably coupled to the support plate to move between closed and open positions, the closed position holding the UAV to the support plate, and the open position allowing the UAV to launch from and/or land on the support plate. One or more motors are configured to move at least one of the plurality of folding elements from the open position to the closed position to align the UAV on the support plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a platform adapted for launching and/or landing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the platform comprising:
 a support plate adapted to support the UAV; 
 a plurality of folding elements pivotably coupled to the support plate to move between closed and open positions, the closed position holding the UAV to the support plate, and the open position allowing the UAV to launch from and/or land on the support plate; and 
 one or more motors configured to move at least one of the plurality of folding elements from the open position to the closed position to align the UAV on the support plate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein in the open position the plurality of folding elements form a landing area with the support plate. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base plate slidably coupled to a linear track, the one or more motors mounted to the base plate to control a position of the support plate relative to the base plate; and   one or more actuators configured to slide the base plate along the linear track.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a first lift arm coupling a first set of actuators of the one or more actuators to the base plate; and   a second lift arm coupling a second set of actuators of the one or more actuators to the base plate,   wherein each actuator of the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators is a linear actuator.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an articulating arm assembly coupling each motor of the one or more motors to the support plate. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 folding elements adapted to position the UAV on the support plate;   wherein the folding elements are pivotably coupled to the support plate to move between closed and open positions, the closed position holding the UAV to the support plate, the open position allowing the UAV to launch from and/or land on the support plate; and   wherein at least a portion of the folding elements, when in the closed position, is adapted to trap on a feature of the UAV to hold the UAV in place on the support plate.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a container, the platform secured within the container and movable between a launch position and a stowed position via a lift mechanism;   wherein movement of the platform from the stowed position to the launch position deploys the folding elements from the closed position to the open position; and   wherein movement of the platform from the launch position to the stowed position collapses the folding elements from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a logic device configured to:
 detect the orientation of the support plate relative to the horizon; and   control the one or more motors to align the support plate with the horizon based on the detected orientation of the support plate.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising the UAV and/or a vehicle, wherein the container is mounted to the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A method of operating the system of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 detecting an orientation of the support plate; and   adjusting, based on the detected orientation, the platform to a desired angle.   
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 receiving an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on a platform, the platform comprising:
 a support plate adapted to support the UAV; 
 a plurality of folding elements pivotably coupled to the support plate to move between closed and open positions, the closed position holding the UAV to the support plate, and the open position allowing the UAV to launch from and/or land on the support plate; and 
 one or more motors configured to move at least one of the plurality of folding elements from the open position to the closed position; and 
   aligning the UAV on the support plate by moving the at least one of the plurality of folding elements from the open position to the closed position.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein in the open position the plurality of folding elements form a landing area with the support plate. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 raising the platform to a launch position via a lift mechanism; and   lowering the platform to a stowed position via the lift mechanism.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the platform comprises:
 a base plate slidably coupled to a linear track, the one or more motors mounted to the base plate to control a position of the support plate relative to the base plate; and   one or more actuators configured to slide the base plate along the linear track.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the platform further comprises:
 a first lift arm coupling a first set of actuators of the one or more actuators to the base plate; and   a second lift arm coupling a second set of actuators of the one or more actuators to the base plate,   wherein each actuator of the first set of actuators and the second set of actuators is a linear actuator.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the platform further comprises an articulating arm assembly coupling each motor of the one or more motors to the support plate. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the platform further comprises folding elements adapted to position the UAV on the support plate, the method further comprising:
 deploying one or more folding elements of the platform to an open position, wherein movement of the platform from the stowed position to the launch position deploys the one or more folding elements to the open position; and   folding the one or more folding elements to a closed position, wherein movement of the platform from the launch position to the stowed position folds the one or more folding elements to the closed position.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the one or more folding elements are pivotably coupled to the support plate to move between closed and open positions, the closed position holding the UAV to the support plate, the open position allowing the UAV to launch from and/or land on the support plate; and   at least a portion of the one or more folding elements, when in the closed position, is adapted to trap on a feature of the UAV to hold the UAV in place on the support plate.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 opening one or more doors of a container housing the platform to allow the raising the platform to the launch position;   closing the one or more doors of the container to secure the stored platform in the container; and   launching the UAV from the platform.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising adjusting the platform by:
 detecting the orientation of the support plate relative to the horizon; and   controlling the one or more motors to align the support plate with the horizon based on the detected orientation of the support plate.